Russia's Foreign Policy and Unconventional Approaches

Title	% from total grade	Grade
1. Individual work	-	-
During the module students will prepare for the seminars, read literature write report and prepare a presentation. • The aim of a seminar is to develop students' ability to argue and present their opinion in a consistent and logical manner; to promote activity; to test students’ knowledge of the topic and materials in question. • The aim of the individual report is to develop the ability to identify the key issue of the topic; to identify and evaluate alternative arguments and views; to offer an opinion, explaining and arguing why this particular opinion is better than any other. The report should compare all possible alternatives, considering all their strengths and weaknesses. Another goal is to develop skills to independently study the situation and the problem, give it an assessment and be able to find solutions.

Title	% from total grade	Grade
1. Examination	-	-
The Student is required to hand in and present a research paper on the case study in Russian foreign policy where one or several unconventional tools are used. Topics for presentation and research should be accepted by lecturer. Technical requirements for the research paper: 13-15 pages, 1,5 spaced, Times New Roman 12 or equivalent. References in footnotes, Chicago Manual of Style.
2. Examination	-	-
Attendance – 10% Activity and preparedness during seminars – 30% Presentation and research paper – 40% Examination (essay) – 20%

Basic Principles of Russian Foreign Policy Description Annotation: Introduction to Russia`s views on international system, interstate relations and role of Russia in regional and global settings. Overview of foreign policy interests of Russia and their development since the end of Cold War. Literature: Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation (approved by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on November 30, 2016). https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/official_documents/-/asset_publisher/CptICkB6BZ29/content/id/2542248

Main Actors and Process of Russian Foreign Policy Description Annotation: Introduction to making of Russian foreign policy, including basic principles of foreign policy process and key actors, including, President, Government, ministers of foreign affairs and defence, Federal Assembly, Regions and “nongovernmental actors” – their role and function in foreign policy process. Literature: Mankoff Jeffrey. Russian Foreign Policy. The Return of Great Power Politics. (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Mayland: 2009), pp. 53-97 Barbashin Anton, Graef Alexander, Thinking foreign policy in Russia: Think tanks and grand narratives. November 12, 20219, Atlantic Council, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-research-reports/report/thinking-foreign-policy-in-russia-think-tanks-and-grand-narratives/

“Unconventional” Approaches in Russian Foreign Policy: An Overview Description Annotation: Approaches in Russian foreign policy in main foreign policy documents and in practice. Comparison between Russian and “Western” approaches in foreign policy. Overview on “unconventional” approaches and their manifestation in Russian foreign policy. Literature: Herpen H. Van, Marcel. Putin's Propaganda Machine: Soft Power and Russian Foreign Policy. (Rowman & Littlefield, 2015) Pp. 47-126

Hard, Soft and Sharp Power in Theory and Russian Foreign Policy Description Annotation: Theoretical foundations of Russian foreign policy – application of concepts of hard, soft or sharp power in analysis of Russian foreign policy. Understanding and interpretation of concept of soft power in Russian foreign policy documents and in practice. Literature: Nye S, Joseph, What China and Russia Don`t Get About Soft Power. April 29, 2013. Foreign Policy, https://foreignpolicy.com/2013/04/29/what-china-and-russia-dont-get-about-soft-power/ Walker Christopher, Ludwig Jessica, From “Soft Power” to “Sharp Power”. Rising Authoritarian Influence in the Democratic World. National Endwment for Democracy. https://www.ned.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Introduction-Sharp-Power-Rising-Authoritarian-Influence.pdf

Russian Public Diplomacy and Cultural Relations Description Annotation: Similarities and differences of understanding of concept of public diplomacy in Russia and “western” states. Priorities and implementation of Russian public diplomacy. Role of state institutions, embassies and cultural centres. Role of cultural relations in foreign policy, its priorities and main manifestations. Literature: Velikaya Anna A., Simons Greg. Eds. Russia`s Public Diplomacy. Evolution and Practice. (Palgrave Macmillan, Cham: 2020), pp. 27-60.

Russian Orthodox Church and Intercultural Dialogue Description Annotation: Role of Russian Orthodox church in Russian politics and links with Russian political elite. Role of Russian Orthodox church in bilateral relations. Involvement of Russian Orthodox church and other actors in multilateral, intercultural and interreligious dialogues. Literature: Sherr, J. Kullamaa, K., The Russian Orthodox Church. Faith, Power And Conquest. (International Centre for Defence and Security: Tallinn 2019), https://icds.ee/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/ICDS_EFPI_Report_The_Russian_Orthodox_Church_Sherr_Kullamaa_December_2019.pdf

Economic and Energy Policy Description Annotation: Trade and economic relations in foreign policy of Russia. Trade relations, investments, loans and infrastructure projects as tools in foreign policy. Energy pillar of Russian foreign policy. Financial resources of Russian “nonstate actors” in the context of Russian foreign policy. Literature: Kudors A., Hermanis J.Eds., The Russian Economy: Prospects for Putin 4.0., (University of Latvia Press: Riga, 2020), 27-40; 75-94; 125-142.

Security Services and Active Measures Description Annotation: Overview on Russian security and intelligence services – functions and roles in domestic and foreign policy. Role of security services in foreign policy – from information gathering to influencing in other states. Active measures in Russian foreign policy. Literature: Galeotti M., Putin`s Hydra: Inside Russia`s Intelligence Services. European Council on Foreign Relations, 2016), https://www.ecfr.eu/page/-/ECFR_169_-_PUTINS_HYDRA_INSIDE_THE_RUSSIAN_INTELLIGENCE_SERVICES_1513.pdf

Cyberattacks and Information operations Description Annotation: Understanding of cybersecurity in Russia. Development of cyberattacks in modern Russia. Factors of cyberattack and information operations in foreign policy of Russia. Challenging aspects of Russian cyberattacks and information operations for Western states. Literature: Rid, T., Active Measures: The Secret History of Disinformation and Political Warfare, (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York, 2020) 377-422. Giles,. The Next Phase of Russian Information Warfare, (NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, 2016), https://www.stratcomcoe.org/next-phase-russian-information-warfare-keir-giles Toler, Aric. Anatomy of a Russian “Troll Factory” News Site. June 8, 2018, Bellingcat. Avaliable https://www.bellingcat.com/resources/case-studies/2018/06/08/anatomy-russian-troll-factory-news-site/

Military Dimension of Russian Foreign Policy Description Annotation: Factor of Russian armed forces, conventional and nuclear weapons and paramilitary formations in foreign policy of Russia. Usage of military force for political gains. Armed forces, military exercises and weapons as tools for indirect influence. Literature: Giles Keir, Russia’s ‘New’ Tools for Confronting the West Continuity and Innovation in Moscow’s Exercise of Power. (Chatham House, March 2016) https://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/default/files/publications/2016-03-russia-new-tools-giles.pdf

“Unconventional” Approaches in Russian Foreign Policy in Practice Description Annotation: Student presentation of case studies where one or several unconventional tools are used in Russian foreign policy. Presentation must include: Description of case study “Unconventional” aspect (tool(s)) used Main actors involved Foreign policy interests that caused specific actions The evaluation of “effectiveness” of specific case Presentation will provide basis for further discussion between students and lecturer.

“Unconventional” Approaches in Russian Foreign Policy in Practice Description Annotation: Student presentation of case studies where one or several unconventional tools are used in Russian foreign policy. Presentation must include: Description of case study “Unconventional” aspect (tool(s)) used Main actors involved Foreign policy interests that caused specific actions The evaluation of “effectiveness” of specific case Presentation will provide basis for further discussion between students and lecturer.

“Unconventional” Approaches in Russian Foreign Policy in Practice Description Annotation: Student presentation of case studies where one or several unconventional tools are used in Russian foreign policy. Presentation must include: Description of case study “Unconventional” aspect (tool(s)) used Main actors involved Foreign policy interests that caused specific actions The evaluation of “effectiveness” of specific case Presentation will provide basis for further discussion between students and lecturer.

“Unconventional” Approaches in Russian Foreign Policy in Practice Description Annotation: Student presentation of case studies where one or several unconventional tools are used in Russian foreign policy. Presentation must include: Description of case study “Unconventional” aspect (tool(s)) used Main actors involved Foreign policy interests that caused specific actions The evaluation of “effectiveness” of specific case Presentation will provide basis for further discussion between students and lecturer.

“Unconventional” Approaches in Russian Foreign Policy in Practice Description Annotation: Student presentation of case studies where one or several unconventional tools are used in Russian foreign policy. Presentation must include: Description of case study “Unconventional” aspect (tool(s)) used Main actors involved Foreign policy interests that caused specific actions The evaluation of “effectiveness” of specific case Presentation will provide basis for further discussion between students and lecturer.

“Unconventional” Approaches in Russian Foreign Policy in Practice Description Annotation: Student presentation of case studies where one or several unconventional tools are used in Russian foreign policy. Presentation must include: Description of case study “Unconventional” aspect (tool(s)) used Main actors involved Foreign policy interests that caused specific actions The evaluation of “effectiveness” of specific case Presentation will provide basis for further discussion between students and lecturer.

“Unconventional” Approaches in Russian Foreign Policy in Practice Description Annotation: Student presentation of case studies where one or several unconventional tools are used in Russian foreign policy. Presentation must include: Description of case study “Unconventional” aspect (tool(s)) used Main actors involved Foreign policy interests that caused specific actions The evaluation of “effectiveness” of specific case Presentation will provide basis for further discussion between students and lecturer.

“Unconventional” Approaches in Russian Foreign Policy in Practice Description Annotation: Student presentation of case studies where one or several unconventional tools are used in Russian foreign policy. Presentation must include: Description of case study “Unconventional” aspect (tool(s)) used Main actors involved Foreign policy interests that caused specific actions The evaluation of “effectiveness” of specific case Presentation will provide basis for further discussion between students and lecturer.

“Unconventional” Approaches in Russian Foreign Policy in Practice Description Annotation: Student presentation of case studies where one or several unconventional tools are used in Russian foreign policy. Presentation must include: Description of case study “Unconventional” aspect (tool(s)) used Main actors involved Foreign policy interests that caused specific actions The evaluation of “effectiveness” of specific case Presentation will provide basis for further discussion between students and lecturer.

“Unconventional” Approaches in Russian Foreign Policy in Practice Description Annotation: Student presentation of case studies where one or several unconventional tools are used in Russian foreign policy. Presentation must include: Description of case study “Unconventional” aspect (tool(s)) used Main actors involved Foreign policy interests that caused specific actions The evaluation of “effectiveness” of specific case Presentation will provide basis for further discussion between students and lecturer.

Basic Principles of Russian Foreign Policy Description Annotation: Introduction to Russia`s views on international system, interstate relations and role of Russia in regional and global settings. Overview of foreign policy interests of Russia and their development since the end of Cold War. Literature: Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation (approved by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on November 30, 2016). https://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/official_documents/-/asset_publisher/CptICkB6BZ29/content/id/2542248

Main Actors and Process of Russian Foreign Policy Description Annotation: Introduction to making of Russian foreign policy, including basic principles of foreign policy process and key actors, including, President, Government, ministers of foreign affairs and defence, Federal Assembly, Regions and “nongovernmental actors” – their role and function in foreign policy process. Literature: Mankoff Jeffrey. Russian Foreign Policy. The Return of Great Power Politics. (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Mayland: 2009), pp. 53-97 Barbashin Anton, Graef Alexander, Thinking foreign policy in Russia: Think tanks and grand narratives. November 12, 20219, Atlantic Council, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-research-reports/report/thinking-foreign-policy-in-russia-think-tanks-and-grand-narratives/

“Unconventional” Approaches in Russian Foreign Policy: An Overview Description Annotation: Approaches in Russian foreign policy in main foreign policy documents and in practice. Comparison between Russian and “Western” approaches in foreign policy. Overview on “unconventional” approaches and their manifestation in Russian foreign policy. Literature: Herpen H. Van, Marcel. Putin's Propaganda Machine: Soft Power and Russian Foreign Policy. (Rowman & Littlefield, 2015) Pp. 47-126

Hard, Soft and Sharp Power in Theory and Russian Foreign Policy Description Annotation: Theoretical foundations of Russian foreign policy – application of concepts of hard, soft or sharp power in analysis of Russian foreign policy. Understanding and interpretation of concept of soft power in Russian foreign policy documents and in practice. Literature: Nye S, Joseph, What China and Russia Don`t Get About Soft Power. April 29, 2013. Foreign Policy, https://foreignpolicy.com/2013/04/29/what-china-and-russia-dont-get-about-soft-power/ Walker Christopher, Ludwig Jessica, From “Soft Power” to “Sharp Power”. Rising Authoritarian Influence in the Democratic World. National Endwment for Democracy. https://www.ned.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Introduction-Sharp-Power-Rising-Authoritarian-Influence.pdf

“Unconventional” Approaches in Russian Foreign Policy in Practice Description Annotation: Student presentation of case studies where one or several unconventional tools are used in Russian foreign policy. Presentation must include: Description of case study “Unconventional” aspect (tool(s)) used Main actors involved Foreign policy interests that caused specific actions The evaluation of “effectiveness” of specific case Presentation will provide basis for further discussion between students and lecturer.

“Unconventional” Approaches in Russian Foreign Policy in Practice Description Annotation: Student presentation of case studies where one or several unconventional tools are used in Russian foreign policy. Presentation must include: Description of case study “Unconventional” aspect (tool(s)) used Main actors involved Foreign policy interests that caused specific actions The evaluation of “effectiveness” of specific case Presentation will provide basis for further discussion between students and lecturer.

“Unconventional” Approaches in Russian Foreign Policy in Practice Description Annotation: Student presentation of case studies where one or several unconventional tools are used in Russian foreign policy. Presentation must include: Description of case study “Unconventional” aspect (tool(s)) used Main actors involved Foreign policy interests that caused specific actions The evaluation of “effectiveness” of specific case Presentation will provide basis for further discussion between students and lecturer.

“Unconventional” Approaches in Russian Foreign Policy in Practice Description Annotation: Student presentation of case studies where one or several unconventional tools are used in Russian foreign policy. Presentation must include: Description of case study “Unconventional” aspect (tool(s)) used Main actors involved Foreign policy interests that caused specific actions The evaluation of “effectiveness” of specific case Presentation will provide basis for further discussion between students and lecturer.

“Unconventional” Approaches in Russian Foreign Policy in Practice Description Annotation: Student presentation of case studies where one or several unconventional tools are used in Russian foreign policy. Presentation must include: Description of case study “Unconventional” aspect (tool(s)) used Main actors involved Foreign policy interests that caused specific actions The evaluation of “effectiveness” of specific case Presentation will provide basis for further discussion between students and lecturer.

“Unconventional” Approaches in Russian Foreign Policy in Practice Description Annotation: Student presentation of case studies where one or several unconventional tools are used in Russian foreign policy. Presentation must include: Description of case study “Unconventional” aspect (tool(s)) used Main actors involved Foreign policy interests that caused specific actions The evaluation of “effectiveness” of specific case Presentation will provide basis for further discussion between students and lecturer.

“Unconventional” Approaches in Russian Foreign Policy in Practice Description Annotation: Student presentation of case studies where one or several unconventional tools are used in Russian foreign policy. Presentation must include: Description of case study “Unconventional” aspect (tool(s)) used Main actors involved Foreign policy interests that caused specific actions The evaluation of “effectiveness” of specific case Presentation will provide basis for further discussion between students and lecturer.